It wouldn’t be the start of a new campaign for the Boston Bruins without at least a couple of injury concerns.
Heading into their 2019-20 season opener with the Dallas Stars, the Boston Bruins have a few players guaranteed not to be hitting the ice, with just one game-time decision ahead of them.
As expected, Kevan Miller and John Moore won’t be suiting up on opening night, with both out injured long-term. The Boston Bruins haven’t really given any indication when either defenseman will return to the ice, with the team not really missing their presence given the depth of the blue-line group.
The one player that the Boston Bruins will really miss, by comparison is second-line center, David Krejci. He is expected to be a game-time decision, skating in a non-contact jersey at Monday’s practice, but back to contact on Tuesday.
Don Sweeney told NESN this about Krejci’s injury status on Tuesday: “(his availability is) to be determined still, he worked his way back for a segment of practice and hopefully will continue to do the same. So we’ll reevaluate every day, he’s possible.”
Should he be missing on opening night, it’d certainly hit the roster. There would either be the need to promote Charlie Coyle or play Par Lindholm up the line-up in a role that he may or may not be that comfortable in.
Only one other player will be missing on Thursday night, fourth liner Joakim Nordstrom. His mid-camp injury is something we haven’t heard a ton about, but thankfully his role on the fourth line is one that can be plugged by Lindholm (if Krejci is fit) or former Dallas Stars forward, Brett Ritchie.
Either option holds some value, though you’d think Ritchie would be itching to face his former team.
Looking back at the injury list last season; even just looking at how banged up the whole room was come the end of the Stanley Cup Final, it’s remarkable that we’re here on opening night and realistically are only talking about three (maybe four) guys being out.
Hopefully it continues this way and we’re not in for another year of musical chairs with the Providence Bruins. It’s nice to see guys get their chance in the NHL, but I’d prefer it not be due to the roster having injury worries.
Here’s hoping this playing group comes through game one unscathed, especially as they remain out west for a further three games across the next week.